Prepare for success on the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam with comprehensive coverage of Act 112 agency disclosure, Consumer Notice requirements, and PA-specific regulations that define real estate practice in the Commonwealth.
Last updated: January 15, 2026
Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (established 1929) oversees real estate licensing and regulation in Pennsylvania.
49 Pa. Code Chapter 35 - Real Estate Commission Regulations
Exam Provider: PSI
Schedule Your ExamOne Bala Avenue, Suite 310, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
View on Google MapsFree parking available in building garage. Street parking on City Avenue (limited, metered).
SEPTA Bus Route 44 stops at Bala Ave & City Ave (2-min walk). Cynwyd SEPTA Regional Rail station 0.5 miles away.
Suite 310 on 3rd floor. Arrive 30 min early to check in. Bring two forms of ID (one photo ID). No cell phones or electronic devices allowed in testing room.
1789 South Braddock Avenue, Suite 296, Pittsburgh, PA 15218
View on Google MapsFree parking lot behind building. Enter from Murray Avenue. Additional street parking on Braddock Ave (2-hour limit).
PAT Bus Routes 61C, 61D stop at Forbes & Murray (1-block walk).
Suite 296 on 2nd floor (use elevator). Arrive 30 min early. Valid government-issued photo ID required. No personal items allowed in testing room - secure lockers provided.
4309 Linglestown Road, Suite 104, Harrisburg, PA 17112
View on Google MapsAmple free parking in front of building. Shopping center location with overflow parking available.
CAT Bus Route 11 (Linglestown Rd). Limited Sunday service. Driving recommended for this location.
Ground floor suite in shopping center. Arrive 30 min before scheduled exam time. No late admissions after start time. Calculator provided for exam - cannot bring your own.
Additional testing centers available in: Allentown, Erie, Reading, Scranton
Salesperson: 75 hours
Broker: 240 hours
Salesperson: 75 hours (Real Estate Fundamentals 30 hrs + Real Estate Practice 45 hrs). Broker: 240 hours total + 3 years experience as salesperson
Exam Fee: $49
Application: $97
Fingerprinting: $40
$400-700 total (pre-license course $200-400 + exam $49 + application $97 + fingerprinting $40 + 14-hour post-license course $75-100)
Exam Window:
Pre-licensing courses valid for 5 years. Must pass exam within 5-year window of course completion.
Retake Policy:
1 business day wait between attempts. Unlimited attempts within 5-year course validity period.
Background Check:
2-4 weeks typically via FBI and PA State Police
Based on student feedback and exam analysis, these are the most difficult topics on the Pennsylvania exam:
Specific Topics:
Why It's Difficult: Act 112 creates six different working relationships (seller agent, buyer agent, dual agent, designated agent, transaction licensee, limited representation). Must understand duties and disclosure requirements for each. Consumer Notice must contain all 11 provisions mandated by law.
Exam Weight: 25-30% of state exam (10-12 questions on Agency and Disclosure section + related ethics questions)
Study Tips:
Create comparison chart: Seller Agency (loyalty to seller), Buyer Agency (loyalty to buyer), Dual Agency (disclosure + consent required), Designated Agency (separate agents in same company), Transaction Licensee (no fiduciary duties). Memorize: Consumer Notice provided at INITIAL INTERVIEW before substantive discussion.
Specific Topics:
Why It's Difficult: Chapter 35 regulations account for 70% of state exam content. Covers all ethical and professional conduct requirements. Detailed rules on money handling, record-keeping, advertising, supervision.
Exam Weight: 70% of state exam (28 questions) - largest section
Study Tips:
Focus on §35.271 (Broker of Record duties), §35.285 (escrow deposits must be within 3 days), §35.336 (Consumer Notice). Study penalty scenarios: commingling funds, failure to supervise, improper advertising. Remember: Records must be kept 3 years.
Specific Topics:
Why It's Difficult: Strict 3-business-day deposit rule. Commingling = automatic license suspension/revocation. Must track all client funds with detailed records. Broker of record is personally liable for all trust account violations.
Exam Weight: 10-15% of state exam (4-6 questions)
Study Tips:
Memorize: 3 business days to deposit. NEVER commingle funds. All client money goes to broker of record's trust account. Salesperson cannot maintain own escrow account. Keep records 3 years minimum. Study disciplinary case scenarios.
Specific Topics:
Why It's Difficult: PA law includes more protected classes than federal law. Must know both PA Human Relations Act and federal Fair Housing Act. Scenario-based questions test judgment on steering, blockbusting, discriminatory advertising.
Exam Weight: 8-12% of state exam (3-5 questions)
Study Tips:
PA protects: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin, Ancestry, Age, Familial Status, Disability, Handling Guide Dog. Federal does not include Age or Ancestry. Study advertising language rules: avoid references to protected classes. Focus on steering scenarios.
$38,000-$52,000
Avg First Year
$75,000-$95,000 (median $85,999)
Experienced Agent
~62,000 active licenses (38,000 salespersons, 24,000 brokers)
Active Licensees
7% projected growth (2024-2034), slightly above national average
Job Growth
Presence: Largest family-owned real estate company in U.S., Pennsylvania headquarters in Pittsburgh, 15,000+ sales associates across PA
Training: Howard Hanna Academy - comprehensive new agent training, mentorship programs, ongoing professional development
New Agent Support: 50/50 to 60/40 splits initially, rising to 80/20 with production. E&O insurance included. Marketing support, CRM system, lead generation programs.
Presence: Multiple offices across Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown regions), 2,500+ agents statewide
Training: KW MAPS Coaching, Ignite (new agent 90-day program), BOLD (12-week intensive), KW University online platform
New Agent Support: 70/30 split rising to 90/10 after cap ($18,000-$21,000 depending on office). Profit share opportunities. Free KW Command CRM. Lead generation systems.
Presence: 130+ RE/MAX offices across Pennsylvania, strong presence in suburban Philadelphia and Pittsburgh markets, 3,000+ agents
Training: RE/MAX University, local office training, satellite training programs, mentorship matching
New Agent Support: Varies by office: 50/50 to 70/30 splits or 95/5 split with monthly desk fee ($800-$1,200). RE/MAX brand recognition. BoostR lead generation platform.
Presence: Dominant in Greater Philadelphia area, 4,500+ sales associates, 65+ offices across Southeastern Pennsylvania
Training: Fox & Roach Academy, new agent onboarding (6-week program), continuing education courses, specialized certifications
New Agent Support: 60/40 to 70/30 splits based on production. Buffini coaching included. Berkshire Hathaway network benefits. Strong brand in Philadelphia suburbs.
Master these state-specific terms that frequently appear on the Pennsylvania exam:
Required written disclosure provided at initial interview containing 11 provisions explaining agency relationships (seller, buyer, dual, designated, transaction licensee)
Importance: Very High - Must be provided before any substantive discussion about property. Failure to provide = violation
Licensee who provides services without establishing agency relationship. Assists with transaction but owes no fiduciary duties to either party
Importance: High - Unique to PA. Alternative to dual agency. Must still provide Consumer Notice
Within same brokerage, different licensees are designated to represent buyer and seller separately (avoids dual agency)
Importance: High - Allows same company to represent both sides without dual agency concerns
Supervising broker responsible for all real estate activities of company. Must be licensed broker with at least 3 years experience
Importance: Medium - Key supervisory role. All salesperson activities must be under broker of record
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